Rhiannon Hendricks
Shinto weddings, or 'marriage before the kami/gods', are traditional Japanese weddings that blend ancient customs with contemporary styles. The ceremony typically lasts 20 to 30 minutes and is presided over by a Shinto priest, usually at a Shinto shrine. The priest purifies the couple and offers prayers to the gods, after which the couple exchanges vows and rings. A crucial part of the ceremony is the san-san-kudo or 'three-three-nine-times', where the couple shares three cups of sake, taking three sips each, to symbolise their past, present, and future. The ceremony is usually limited to family, while the reception includes a larger group of friends.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Typical duration | 20-30 minutes |
| Ceremony location | Shinto shrine or hotel |
| Officiant | Shinto priest |
| Clothing | Kimonos, with the option to change into Western-style attire for the reception |
| Guests | Limited to close friends and family |
| Gifts | Money presented in a decorative envelope called a shugi-bukuro |
| Rituals | Sake-sharing (san-san-kudo), purification, exchange of rings, and symbolic offerings |
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What You'll Learn
- Shinto weddings are short, lasting 20-30 minutes
- The ceremony involves drinking sake from three cups three times
- Shinto brides and grooms wear kimonos, with the bride in a shiromuku or uchikake
- Shinto weddings are in decline, with fewer Japanese people getting married
- The ceremony takes place in a shrine, with a priest purifying the couple
Shinto weddings are short, lasting 20-30 minutes
Shinto weddings, or "marriage before the kami", are short ceremonies that typically last 20 to 30 minutes. The ceremony is a Shinto purification ritual that involves the exchange of sake between the couple before they are married. The ritual is called "san-san-ku-do" or "san-san-kudo", which translates to "three-three-nine-times", reflecting three oaths taken three times, represented by three cups, poured three times, and swallowed in three sips. This ritual is said to be the core of a Shinto wedding and is performed to seek blessings and protection for the couple.
The ceremony usually takes place at a Shinto shrine, with a priest overseeing the event. The bride and groom wear traditional kimono, with the groom also having the option to wear a Western-style business suit. The bride typically wears a colourful uchikake (打ち掛け) over-kimono or a pure-white shiromuku (白無垢) over-kimono. The uchikake is a colourful, heavy brocade fabric that may feature embroidery and gold and silver thread. The shiromuku, on the other hand, is solid white with woven designs and is considered the most formal and popular choice. The groom usually wears a black kimono called a montsuki, bearing his family crest in white, along with striped hakama trousers and a haori overcoat.
Shinto weddings are often limited to close friends and family, with a larger group of friends invited to the reception. Traditional Japanese wedding etiquette also includes gift-giving, with guests expected to give money in odd-numbered banknotes, symbolizing the couple's indivisibility. In recent times, however, Japanese couples have introduced many Western elements to their weddings, including the exchange of rings and honeymoons.
Shinto weddings are in decline, with fewer Japanese people choosing to get married and those who do often opting for Western-style chapel ceremonies. Despite this, Shinto weddings remain a popular option for couples seeking a sacred and unique atmosphere, blending ancient customs with contemporary style.
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The ceremony involves drinking sake from three cups three times
The traditional Shinto wedding ceremony, also known as "Shinzen kekkon" or "Shinzen shiki", involves a couple drinking sake from three cups, three times each, in a ritual known as "san-san-kudo" or "nan-nan-san-ku-do", which translates to "three-three-nine-times". This ritual, which dates back to the 1600s or possibly earlier, is an integral part of Shinto weddings and is said to be the core of the ceremony.
The "san-san-kudo" ceremony involves the couple taking turns drinking from three special "sakazuki" cups of increasing size, known as small, medium, and large. These cups are stacked on top of each other in a tiered arrangement, with each cup poured into three increments. The couple takes three sips from each cup, for a total of nine sips, symbolising the formation of a bond between them. The small cup represents the past and gratitude to their ancestors, the medium cup represents the present and their commitment to a happy and long life together, and the large cup represents the future and a wish for protection and tranquility as a family.
The ritual of drinking sake from three cups three times is not only a symbolic gesture in Shinto weddings but also holds spiritual significance. In Shinto, sake is considered more than just a beverage; it is seen as a blessing from the gods, created from the divine gift of rice. By partaking in this ritual, the couple is believed to be sharing the blessings of the gods, strengthening their bond, and invoking divine protection for their future together.
While the specific steps of the "san-san-kudo" ceremony may vary slightly, the overall structure remains consistent. Typically, the groom initiates the ritual by sipping from the small cup three times, followed by the bride. They then move on to the medium cup, with the bride taking the first three sips, and the groom following. Finally, they conclude with the large cup, where the groom takes the lead again, and the bride finishes the ritual. In some cases, the parents of the couple may also participate by taking three sips from each cup, symbolising the strengthening of family ties.
In addition to the "san-san-kudo" ceremony, sake also plays a significant role in other aspects of Shinto weddings. For instance, it is common to include sake in the wedding reception, either as a toast or as a unique drinking experience for the guests. Sake is also given as a wedding favour, along with items like folding fans, chopsticks, and rice bowls. Incorporating sake into a Shinto wedding reinforces the cultural and traditional aspects of the ceremony, adding a touch of authenticity and uniqueness to the celebration.
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Shinto brides and grooms wear kimonos, with the bride in a shiromuku or uchikake
Shinto weddings, or "marriage before the kami", began in Japan in the early 20th century. They are based on Shinto themes of purification and typically last 20 to 30 minutes. The ceremony involves the ceremonial drinking of sake, with the couple taking three oaths, represented by three cups, poured and swallowed three times.
Shinto brides and grooms usually wear kimonos, with the bride wearing multiple layers, and the outermost layer being the most formal. The bride will wear either a shiromuku or an uchikake. The shiromuku is a pure-white over-kimono, with all garments and accessories also in white. The colour white is a symbol of the bride's willingness to take on the colours and standards of her new family. The shiromuku is derived from the dress of the samurai classes and is made of silk or imitation silk. It is often hired for the day due to the high cost of purchasing one. The uchikake is also derived from the dress of samurai women and is a colourful over-kimono, made of heavy brocade fabric that may feature woven designs or embroidery in gold and silver thread. Red, white, and black are common colours for the uchikake, but other colours may also be used. The bride may change into a red kimono for the wedding reception for good luck.
The groom can wear a kimono or a Western-style business suit. If he wears a kimono, it will typically be black with five crests from the groom's family. The groom's kimono is usually solid-coloured and made of silk or imitation silk, and is worn with a matching kimono jacket.
In addition to the kimono, the bride wears a wig, or "katsura", in a traditional style, along with auspiciously designed hair accessories. She also wears tabi socks and zori sandals, and carries a sensu folding fan, a small kaiken knife, and a brocade purse called a hakoseko. The wataboshi, or bridal kimono hood, is derived from the "katsuki", a hood worn outdoors by married women in samurai families. It is worn with the shiromuku to hide the bride's face from everyone except the groom until the end of the ceremony.
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Shinto weddings are in decline, with fewer Japanese people getting married
Shinto weddings, or "marriage before the kami/gods", are a relatively new invention, with the first mention of a wedding in a Shinto manual recorded in 1872, and the ceremonies themselves only reported in the 1880s. These weddings were initially held for the families of Shinto priests and held little religious significance. However, as state-sponsored Shinto shrines declined in the 19th century, new customs and ceremonies were introduced to encourage the practice of Shinto rituals, leading to the development of the modern Shinto wedding ceremony.
The Shinto wedding ceremony is steeped in symbolism and intricate rituals. The ceremony typically lasts 20 to 30 minutes and involves the purification of the couple and guests, the exchange of wedding vows and rings, and the sacred sharing of sake between the bride and groom. The bride and groom typically wear kimono, with the groom also having the option to wear a Western-style business suit. The bride wears a number of kimono layers, with the outermost layer being the most formal. She may wear either a colourful uchikake or a pure white shiromuku, both of which are highly formal kimono worn over the actual kimono and obi, left unfastened. Due to the high cost of new kimono, brides may choose to rent their ensemble or wear a family heirloom. The bride also wears a traditional wig (katsura) adorned with hair accessories.
Shinto weddings are in decline, with fewer Japanese people choosing to get married. For those who do marry, Western-style chapel ceremonies are often preferred. This trend is reflected in the statistics, with the number of Shinto weddings dropping from 90% to 50% since the 1990s. This decline is not unique to Shinto weddings, as Christian-style weddings have become the most popular wedding service in Japan, despite less than 2% of the population identifying as Christian.
There are several reasons for the decline of Shinto weddings. Firstly, the high cost of new kimono and the traditional wig may deter couples from choosing a Shinto wedding. Additionally, the small, intimate nature of the ceremony, usually limited to close family, may not appeal to modern couples who prefer larger weddings. Furthermore, the decline in state-sponsored Shinto shrines and the secularisation of Japanese society may have contributed to the decrease in Shinto weddings over time.
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The ceremony takes place in a shrine, with a priest purifying the couple
The Shinto wedding ceremony, also known as "Shinzen kekkon" or "Shinzen shiki", is a purification ritual that takes place in a shrine. The ceremony involves the couple, a Shinto priest, and a shrine maiden, or Miko, who stands to the left of the altar while the priest stands to the right. The couple is typically dressed in kimono, with the bride wearing a colourful uchikake or a pure white shiromuku over-kimono, and the groom in a Western-style business suit or a kimono.
The ceremony begins with the purification rite, or Shubatsu, where the priest purifies the couple and the guests, preparing them to be presented to the gods. This is followed by the priest announcing the marriage to the shrine altar, after which all attendees stand and bow. The core of the Shinto wedding is the exchange of sake, or the san-san-ku-do ceremony, which involves the couple sipping from three cups of three different sizes three times, representing three oaths taken three times. This ritual is said to have originated at samurai weddings and symbolises the sharing of joys and sorrows as a married couple, as well as fertility.
After the exchange of sake, the couple approaches the altar, where the groom reads his wedding vows while the bride listens. A nakodo, or "matchmaker", is also thanked in the vows. If there is no matchmaker, a friend or family member fills this role. Following the vows, the families join in drinking sake and a traditional cheer of "kanpai". The final portion of the ceremony involves the priest offering Japanese evergreen to the altar.
The Shinto wedding ceremony typically lasts 20 to 30 minutes and is usually a small, intimate affair limited to close friends and family. A less formal reception with a larger group of guests usually follows the ceremony.
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Frequently asked questions
The ceremony typically takes 20 to 30 minutes.
Shinto weddings are purification rituals that involve the ceremonial drinking of sake. The couple exchanges three cups three times, the nan-nan-san-ku-do.
Guests should wear socks or stockings as shoes or bare feet are frowned upon. Women should wear a one-piece dress or kimono, avoiding leather, fur, swinging earrings, and sleeveless garments. Men should avoid wearing white or black.
The bride will wear a kimono, with several options including the Shiromuku (white kimono), Kurofurisode (black kimono), and Iro-uchikake (colourful kimono). The groom wears a montsuki, a black kimono with his family crest in white, with striped hakama trousers and a haori overcoat.
Shinto weddings occur within a Shinto shrine, but they can also take place in hotels or other special venues.
